Social Research

NICDAM undertakes social research to guide decision-making and policy direction for NGOs, government departments, institutions and funders. This includes desk/document reviews, data collection, data capturing and analyses and research reports.

Examples of research projects undertaken by NICDAM include:

A training needs assessment of supervisors in the ASPIRES SA Programme for Save the Children International from October 2016 to February 2017. The assignment included a research report on the gaps and recommendations regarding a SAQA accredited curriculum.

Training needs assessment amongst community caregivers and child & youth care workers on HIV/AIDS for FHI360. The results of which informed a curriculum on HIV/AIDS, focusing on referral to HIV and other health services and motivational counselling. NICDAM subsequently developed the curriculum, aligned the learning material to SAQA unit standards, presented the training to 334 beneficiaries and mentored 21 participating organisations in the implementation of the project. (2015 – 2017)

For the Safer South Africa for Women and Children Programme funded by DFID in 2015/2016:

Data analysis to determine the impact of the community dialogues and related interventions;

Rapid assessment of the IDPs of the two District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape targeted to determine the extent to which gender-based violence (GBV), sexual reproductive health (SRH) and HIV prevention were mainstreamed in social development programmes;

Publication of Best Practices.

In September 2013, NICDAM was appointed by the Department of Social Development National Office to conduct a feasibility study to explore the merits and demerits of a potential Skills Enhancement centre (SEC) / Social Welfare Academy (SWA). The study was to be conducted by means of obtaining information from stakeholders and possible beneficiaries of such a centre. The outcomes of research were to be documented in a range of reports with a final recommendation regarding the feasibility and possible arrangement of a SWA.

Based on the findings three reports were generated, namely

The feasibility report that answers the basic feasibility question: is the SWA needed, desirable and viable?

The institutional arrangements report that explores the possible models for establishing and operating the SWA and the organisational structure and requirements that would provide the optimal output for the SWA; and finally,

The costing report which estimates the financial implications.

A comprehensive nationwide training needs assessment and situational analysis for the Population Unit of the DSD resulting in the development of a training course on the current health and population status and issues for government planners.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) was tasked by UNODC to implement the project “Support to the South African Government to Strengthen Communities of Diversities and Peace.” In preparation for the project NICDAM was contracted to determine the level of integration and acceptance of foreign national people in communities and the status of migrant’s policies and rights as perceived by key stakeholders. Sixty (60) individuals who were involved with migrants and migrant issues directly or indirectly were interviewed to obtain information regarding the level of acceptance, tolerance and integration. This study informed interventions to build and strengthen diversity and peace within communities.

A comprehensive desk review of national and international practices, policies and other relevant documents to inform the development of an HIV/AIDS programme, including a procedure manual for the management of children living with HIV/AIDS in child and youth in residential care facilities. This was followed by a comprehensive consultation process with stakeholders and the design and development of a train-the-trainer manual and piloting the training of the programme to Child and Youth Care residential care staff.

A nationwide skills audit of home based caregivers for the HWSETA which entailed 12,500 respondents. The audit formed the basis for assessing participants for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and bringing 2717 workers in the Community Home Based Care sector closer to a full qualification.

Documentation of 18 best practice case studies (two per province) in home/community-based care for the Departments of Health and Social Development. This was followed by presenting several workshops to government officials in the best practice documentation methodology.

A needs assessment of the needs of primary and secondary carers of children living with HIV/AIDS in Hlabisa and Soweto with the purpose of developing capacity building programmes for primary and secondary cares, including the analysis and interpretation of the findings for publication. This project was sponsored by the BMS Secure the Future Foundation.

Interviewees in a national skills audit conducted to develop a SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR HOME-BASED CARERS on behalf of the HWSETA